The 31-year-old Djokovic didn't drop serve all week - a total of 47 service games - and moves above Roger Federer into the world No. 2 spot after Monday's updated rankings.

Coric again battled well in the second set and saved three match points at 5-4, with Djokovic uncharacteristically smashing an overhead volley wide.

He is now just 35 points behind 33-time Masters 1000 titles leader Rafael Nadal (7,480) in the year-to-date ATP Race To London with three weeks left in the regular ATP World Tour season, ATPWorldTour.com reported.

Djokovic continues his superlative record in China, with this fourth Shanghai title being his 11th consecutive final victory.

"And where I was about four months ago and where I am today is quite an extreme opposite".

"I found it and I'm just trying to hold on to it as long as I can".

It is almost two years since Djokovic topped the rankings and he has made it his mission to topple the injured Nadal before the year is out.

The Serb, who had elbow surgery in February but recovered to win Wimbledon and then the US Open last month, said: "Being number two after this tournament is also a great achievement, considering the first four, five months of the year and considering I had the surgery". "Not many holes in the game in general, especially this week".

Djokovic's serve has not been broken this week in 37 service games. "So obviously that brings me a lot of joy".

Wang - who has been touted by some as a potential successor to Chinese tennis icon Li Na - was chasing her third title but was never in the match, which was over in little more than an hour.